‘The View’ Co-Host Sunny Hostin Reveals Her In-Laws Died Of COVID-19 In The Same Week
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On Friday’s episode of The View, Sunny Hostin revealed that both of her in-laws died of COVID-19 in the same week.
Her husband Manny lost his father on Dec. 28 and his mother on New Year’s Day.
Dr. Maria Jesus and Dr. A. Emmanuel were physicians who “were both very careful,” Hostin said. “We still don’t know how they contracted this virus and this disease.”
On Friday’s episode of The View, Sunny Hostin revealed some heartbreaking news that may explain why she hasn’t been active on social media since the holidays. She and her husband, Emmanuel Hostin, are grieving the loss of his parents, who both had COVID-19.
Hostin hadn’t spoken up about it before now because she and her family remain in “deep grief,” she said, and because her husband Manny is “intensely private,” despite her own very public persona. “But after speaking with him, he felt that from a public health standpoint that it was very important for me to share that we are deeply saddened that Manny lost both of his parents over the holidays,” she shared. “He lost his father on Dec. 28 and he lost his mother on New Year’s Day, both to COVID.”
Both of his parents—Dr. Maria Jesus and Dr. A. Emmanuel—were physicians. Dr. Jesus was 79 and Dr. Emmanuel was 83, per a graphic displayed on The View. Despite following recommended precautions and guidelines, they still fell ill. “They were both very careful,” Hostin explained. “They didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving with us because we all decided that it wasn’t safe. And after a lot of contact tracing, we still don’t know how they contracted this virus and this disease.”
Getting emotional, she went on to reveal that her in-laws were patients at NorthWell Health hospital system in New York, and thanked the essential workers there for their incredibly hard work, down to the couples’ last breaths. “We want to thank the doctors and nurses that gave them such incredible care,” she said. “They’re doing God’s work letting us Facetime with Manny’s parents while they were passing away. Despite all of that, they didn’t make it.”
Thankfully, the co-host and her family have a strong support system that includes her peers at The View—Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Meghan McCain, Sarah Haines, and Ana Navarro. “[Thank you] Whoopi, for sending so much food for several weeks,” Sunny said. “Ana, for calling us and giving us all of the information that you gained when [husband] Al was battling this virus. Meghan, for distracting me with all of the pop culture news and sending us bourbon, Manny says the best condolence gift he’s gotten so far. Joy, for your calls with your humor. You guys really wrapped your love around us and we’re so very thankful.”
An outpouring of love and encouragement also came from fans and friends online. “Sending you, Manny, your children and the rest of the family so much love!” singer and actress Michelle Williams wrote under an Instagram post from The View. “I feel your pain and in sending my condolences I send my love and understanding of this loss. If I could hug you I would,” actress Sharon Stone wrote. “I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mother on July 7 of 2020 due to COVID,” a fan added. “It’s been so difficult. I pray for you and your family.”
To end her message, Hostin urged the public to take the pandemic seriously. “COVID is very, very serious. It is not a joke, it is not a hoax,” she said. She pleaded with viewers to social distance, wear masks, wash their hands and “if you get the opportunity to take this vaccine, take it.”
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